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According to U.S. statistics in 2001, jobs in law enforcement and security were considered the riskiest, followed by taxicab drivers and bartenders.
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Risk-taking is an important part of work. On the job, people who are prone to risk-taking can be either a benefit or a liability to the company, depending on the corporate identity, the economic climate, and the positions they hold. In an environment which would-be danger exists if something went wrong, keeping the amount of risky behavior to a minimum is essential to job safety. In other jobs, such as in the business or creative fields, comfort with risk is essential for success. The very highest level of risk-taking can result in serious and even life-threatening consequences, and is rarely desirable.
The decision-making process is risky - when making decisions, it is a good idea to weigh the potential costs and rewards of each alternative, as the outcomes are often unsure. Certain combinations of personality traits result in impulsivity, leading people with such characteristics to make risky decisions without the forethought to plan for the worst-case scenario. In addition, impulsive individuals can be careless and less invested in the outcomes of their work. This can lead to sloppy, irresponsible risk-taking that could harm an organization as a whole. Other traits result in individuals who are paralyzed by uncertainty, and avoid risk-taking at all costs. These people might defer decision-making to others, or require excessive advice before acting.
The primary personality traits measured to assess propensity for risk-taking are as follows:
- Sensation-seeking
- Harm-avoidance
- Comfort with ambiguity
The mediating personality traits measured to assess propensity for risk-taking are as follows:
- Conscientiousness
- Reward Dependence
- Locus of Control
The results section offers information about Deb 's propensity for risk-taking, her level of care and control when taking risks, and the level of responsibility she assumes for the consequences of her risk-taking.
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